Long upheld as an important celebration for the Italian community, Ferragosto brings street eats, Italian culture and live tunes to an annual neighbourhood festival in Five Dock over four days.
“We are thrilled to be bringing back this beloved community event,” City of Canada Bay Mayor
Angelo Tsirekas said.
Ferragosto is traditioanlly celebrated in Italy on August 15, commemorating emperor Augustus and the height of Italy's summer holiday season. Here in Sydney, free festivities will fill the many side streets down the Great North Road for four days instead. In 2019, the festival mainstage saw stars like singer-songwriter Johnny Rufoo, who’s performed beside massive acts like Salt-N-Pepa, One Direction and Guy Sebastian, plus comedy wizard Joe Avati showing off his bilingual Italian and English gags. There's no word yet on 2021's performers, but we'll keep you posted.
Once you've had your fill of entertainment, you can follow the scent of red sauce to the market stalls dishing out the city’s best Italian fare. If 2019's program is anything to go by, you'll be able to sign up for pasta-eating comps, or put your taste-buds to the test in a blind gelato flavour guessing competition. Who needs prizes with tests like that?
Head to Ferragosto from August 12 to 15 in Five Dock.